Global Distribution of Fe K alpha Lines in the Galactic Center Region Observed with the Suzaku Satellite

Abstract

We have surveyed spatial profiles of the Fe K$\alpha$ lines in the Galactic center diffuse X-rays (GCDX), including the transient region from the GCDX to the Galactic ridge X-ray emission (GRXE), with the Suzaku satellite. We resolved Fe K$\alpha$ line complex into three lines of Fe \emissiontype{I}, Fe \emissiontype{XXV} and Fe \emissiontype{XXVI} K$\alpha$, and obtained their spatial intensity profiles with the resolution of $\sim \timeform{0D.1}$. We compared the Fe \emissiontype{XXV} K$\alpha$ profile with a stellar mass distribution (SMD) model made from near infrared observations. The intensity profile of Fe \emissiontype{XXV} K$\alpha$ is nicely fitted with the SMD model in the GRXE region, while that in the GCDX region shows $3.8\pm 0.3$ $(\timeform{0D.2}<|l|<\timeform{1D.5})$ or $19\pm 6$ $(|l|<\timeform{0D.2})$ times excess over the best-fit SMD model in the GRXE region. Thus Fe \emissiontype{XXV} K$\alpha$ in the GCDX is hardly explained by the same origin of the GRXE. In the case of point source origin, a new population with the extremely strong Fe \emissiontype{XXV} K$\alpha$ line is required. An alternative possibility is that the majority of the GCDX is truly diffuse optically thin thermal plasma.

Accepted by PASJ

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